For a gay filmmaker, filming in Saudi Arabia presents two serious challenges: filming is forbidden and homosexuality is punishable by death. For filmmaker Parvez Sharma, however, these were risks he had to assume as he undertook the Hajj, a pilgrimage considered the greatest accomplishment and aspiration within Islam, his religion. On his journey Parvez aims to look beyond 21st-century Islam’s crises of religious extremism, commercialism and sectarian battles. He brings back the story of the religion like it has never been told before, having endured the biggest jihad there is: the struggle with the self.

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1+ hours of video, watch as much as you want for 3 days.This is a gift rental for a friend.This is a gift rental just for . They will receive their copy via email.

A Sinner in Mecca

For a gay filmmaker, filming in Saudi Arabia presents two serious challenges: filming is forbidden and homosexuality is punishable by death. For filmmaker Parvez Sharma, however, these were risks he had to assume as he undertook the Hajj, a pilgrimage considered the greatest accomplishment and aspiration within Islam, his religion. On his journey Parvez aims to look beyond 21st-century Islam’s crises of religious extremism, commercialism and sectarian battles. He brings back the story of the religion like it has never been told before, having endured the biggest jihad there is: the struggle with the self.